Getting the ball rolling

 
The women’s basketball team defended and executed well last season.
In conference play they held opponents to 57.8 per game-the second fewest allowed in the Southwestern Athletic Conference.
However, they were predicted to finish second in the Conference.
“Honestly, I got that as a chip on my shoulder,” junior guard Adrian Sanders said. “All we have to do is grind it out, go hard at everything, and don’t take days off.”
The team practiced for two hours Monday evening, spending time on individual drills and team skill development in preparation for Dillard University, Sunday.
The Lady Bleu Devils were ranked fifth in the preseason polls selected by league coaches. The Bleu Devils return forward Jazzmin Smith, who earned All-American Honorable Mention honors last season as well as Gulf Coast Athletic Conference First Team All-Conference honors.
Assistant coach Carlos Funchess said for a while, the team had only practiced against each other and that is was time for the team to see someone else.
“That’s what we’re looking forward too,” Funchess said. “Seeing another team and seeing how our new offense that we implemented this year is going to work.”
Sanders pointed out that the team has what it takes to redeem itself from last year’s disappointing regular season finish, which could have marked three consecutive regular season titles.
“The expectations are always high at Southern,” senior forward Lechell Rush said. “We have to come here and have a great preseason. We’re just going to come out here and play our game and hope to prove them wrong.”
Funchess added that the teams’ number two prediction put a chip on their shoulder and are striving to become conference champions for the first time sine the 2009-10 season.
“Talent wise, without a doubt I think we have the parts it takes to be a champion,” Funchess said. “We have all the ingredients but it’s going to take a lot of hard work and hopefully we can stay injury free.”
SU’s junior guard Kendra Coleman also picked up preseason honors. Coleman was selected preseason First Team All-SWAC after leading the Jaguars with 12.9 points per game.
Senior Laneisha Stephens, who made nine of 25 starts for SU, is expected to contribute heavily this season. She returns after a knee injury sidelined her from practicing with teammates.
“Kendra has a lot of help this year,” Funchess said, “It’s a team effort, so we’re going to have to step up and get the job done.”